THE landmark set of result that were posted by the Goffs Land Rover Sale in 2014 proved to be just out of reach for the latest edition of the company’s flagship national hunt sale.

However, the two day auction’s final figures were still among the best in its history and trade on day one looked at least as good as it was on last year’s landmark opening session. The number of six figure lots on the first day dropped from nine to five but there was growth elsewhere as 53 horses made €50,000 or more as opposed to 44 last year.

The second session wasn’t as strong as last year and this in turn played its part in the cumulative average dropping by two points to €26,825. The median of €20,000 represented a drop of nine percent while a bigger catalogue saw the aggregate grow marginally to over €11.7m.

British-based purchasers, who were at a significant advantage given the differential between sterling and the euro, made a major contribution over the two days while the point-to-point fraternity were out in force as they stockpiled talent for next spring.

Despite the fact that last year’s gains were out of reach, Goffs were pleased with sale’s performance with chief executive Henry Beeby commenting: “The 2014 Land Rover Sale set new standards for National Hunt sales at Goffs with massive rises in every sector to build on the huge successes of the previous four years.

“So to consolidate those superb results is very pleasing especially when the sale is viewed in the context of the last four years during which the market has recovered from the much publicised global financial crisis. In that time the Land Rover Sale has grown in average by a staggering 131% which is nearly double that of its main competitor.

“This week has been characterised by a significant contingent of British National Hunt buyers competing with a the home team including a very strong point-to-point fraternity all of whom combined to return a red hot trade especially on our first day. The middle to upper end was especially strong with more €50,000 plus lots than last year,” added Beeby.

Wednesday

An excellent opening session of the sale, which was characterised by a robust and very healthy middle market, was headed by a €155,000 son of Arcadio for whom Mouse Morris outlasted Aiden Murphy. Arcadio’s best jumper to date is Gordon Elliott’s unbeaten novice chaser The Game Changer and this Clifton Farm-consigned sale topper hails from the immediate family of that horse as well as the high class Johns Spirit. The three-year-old was showing a superb return on the €20,000 he cost as a foal.

Like Arcadio, the dual group 1 winner Getaway is a son of Monsun and his first crop of three-year-olds were in some demand throughout the day. They were headlined by a gelding from Jimmy Murphy’s Redpender Stud for whom Tammy O’Brien, acting for M.V. Magnier, saw off Anna Ross with a bid of €150,000. The relation to the Triumph Hurdle second Moorish was bought for just €14,000 as a foal.

Towards the end of the day, a three-year-old son of Yeats, who has made a notable impression with his initial National Hunt runners, was knocked down to trainer Ian Ferguson for €140,000. Ferguson reported that he was acting for a client after securing the relation to the high class chaser Wahiba Sands. A few minutes later Ferguson was again to the fore when giving €80,000 for a son of King’s Theatre and the dual bumper winner Tus Nua.

Gerry Hogan had the distinction of being the first purchaser to reach six figures at this year’s auction when he forked out €120,000 for a son of Kayf Tara offered by Galbertstown Stud. The relation to Gaye Brief was bought for owners Nick Mustoe and Tim Syder whose purchase will join Emma Lavelle. Also set to join the Lavelle team is a €70,000 son of Stowaway and a €62,000 daughter of King’s Theatre out of the grade 1-placed hurdler Artist’s Muse.

Another €120,000 transaction came when Gerry Griffin and Nicky Richards combined to secure a Mags Melody-owned son of Presenting from Rathmore Stud. A half-brother to the Betfair Hurdle winner, the gelding also comes from the immediate family of the Gold Cup scorer See More Business.

Gordon Elliott put forward next year’s Land Rover bumper as a long term target for an €85,000 son of Presenting and the French grade 1 winner Polivalente who was purchased on behalf of a new client of the trainer.

As ever David Minton was among the leading purchasers with his spending including an €80,000 Gentlewave gelding and a €75,000 Robin Des Champs grandson of the top class juvenile hurdler Titled Dancer.

Norman Williamson’s Oak Tree Farm sold Oscar Whisky at this sale several years ago and this time his draft was headed by son of Voix Du Nord whose best representatives in these parts include Vroum Vroum Mag and Taquin Du Seuil. Robert Tyner, acting for client Brendan Keogh, won the battle for the gelding when bringing the price to €75,000.

Elsewhere a busy Kevin Ross spent €75,000 on a Shantou gelding from White Horse Stud while Aiden Murphy’s biggest purchase came when he forked out €74,000 for a son of Milan from a good French jumping family.

Thursday

The second session was, as expected, appreciably quieter than day one and couldn’t quite match the level of trade witnessed on the same day last year. It was a busy session for agent Aidan O’Ryan who picked up several of the best lots headed by a €62,000 Shantou three-year-old from Johnny Fogarty’s Gaynestown Stud. From the family of Arctic Lord, the gelding was bought for an established client who will keep their purchase in Ireland.

Much later O’Ryan saw off Tom Hogan for a very popular Milan gelding who sold for €55,000. That horse and a €32,000 Dubai Destination three-year-old were bought on behalf of Eoin Donnelly whose purchases will join Gordon Elliott. The owner had the promising Maralin point-to-point winner Baltazar D’Allier with Elliott this year. A number of the later lots attracted quite a following and Paul Roche had to go to €48,000 for a Maurice Sheehy-owned son of Milan. A few minutes later Kevin Ross went to €38,000 for another son of the popular sire and the Sadler’s Wells horse was also responsible for a €36,000 three-year-old who was bought by Cuan Na Grai’s owner John Brennan.

The sale contained just one gelding by the well touted young French sire Blue Bresil and he was snapped up by Highflyer Bloodstock’s Tessa Greatrex for €42,000. She reported that her client would be putting their purchase into training in Ireland.

Among those to come in at €40,000 was a son Well Chosen whose siblings include the decent handicap chaser Sraid Padraig. John Fleming Bloodstock signed for the grandson of Sadler’s Wells while Tom Malone later matched this price for a Dubai Destination half-brother to the capable chaser Fine Parchment.

An Echo Of Light half-brother to a French stakes winner will be joining the Nicky Richards team after coming to Gerry Griffin at €35,000. The agent indicated that his purchase could come to hand sufficiently quickly for next year’s Land Rover Bumper. Also coming in at €35,000 was a gelding by the late Gold Well who was knocked down to Milestone Stables. A career in the pointing field beckons for a €34,000 Voix Du Nord gelding after he sold to Willie Codd while the day’s top priced filly was a €31,000 daughter of Flemensfirth out of a half-sister to Denman. She was bought by Paul Kelly.